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UNCP announces $50,000 gift from Durham group

March 6, 2013

The Sheltering Home Circle of the International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons has established a $50,000 endowed scholarship at UNC Pembroke, according to an announcement by Wendy Lowery of the Office for Advancement.

The scholarship will benefit an American Indian student who is an elementary education major. The King’s Daughters and Sons is a worldwide interdenominational Christian service organization with “circles,” throughout the country. The Sheltering Home Circle is the Durham, N.C. group, established in 1903.

Many universities in North Carolina have benefitted from the circle’s philanthropy. In particular, North American Indians have been a concern of The King's Daughters and Sons for many years, and the organization has worked to improve living conditions among Native Americans, said Dr. Louise Cummings Maynor, a 1965 UNCP graduate and member of the Durham circle.

Several chapters of The King’s Daughters and Sons of North Carolina have supported Lumbee students for more than 30 years, Dr. Maynor said.

“Serving American Indians was a part of the original mission of The King’s Daughters from its founding 126 years ago,” she said. “However, this gift is the largest to be given to a North Carolina institution of higher learning expressly to support American Indian prospective teachers.

“Through this gift, our circle hopes to demonstrate our commitment to Christian service to others, particularly the Lumbee,” she said. “It is our hope that students will be empowered to serve others with this same commitment.

“We believe that teaching is one of life’s most noble forms of service, and we seek to promote and support those who answer this calling,” said Dr. Maynor, who is a retired English professor. “As a Lumbee and a member of The King's Daughters, I am most humbled that my own chapter, the Sheltering Home Circle, has selected UNC Pembroke as the recipient of this generous gift.”

Chancellor Kyle R. Carter said an endowed gift is a perpetual fund that will support students at the university for generations into the future.

“This a very generous gift that supports this university’s original mission to train American Indian teachers,” Chancellor Carter said. “The entire university community expresses sincere appreciation to the members of The King’s Daughters and Sons who have made such a significant investment in UNC Pembroke and the future educators we continue to produce for the next 125 years.”

Lowery thanked Dr. Maynor for her support of the university.

“Dr. Maynor was instrumental in encouraging support of our students and UNCP’s School of Education,” Lowery said. “Because Louise grew up a short distance from the university and is a graduate, this is an example of giving in the most intimate way. More, it’s a testament to the power of a ‘circle’ of friends who are working for a great cause.”

The Sheltering Home Circle’s finance committee chair Charlyn Wohlnick said her group is keenly aware of the importance of endowed scholarships and the lasting impact they have on individuals, institutions and communities.

“Supporting UNC Pembroke’s School of Education provides the Sheltering Home Circle of The King’s Daughters and Sons with the opportunity to help fulfill the mission of our organization,” Wohlnick said. “Providing endowed scholarship support for American Indian students who are striving to become educators is exactly the sort of commitment we consider critical because the future relies on the children on whom they will have a direct impact.”

For information about this scholarship or to learn more about giving at UNCP, please contact the Office of Advancement at 910.521.6252 or email advancement@uncp.edu.